"Why not the Browns? If we take care of business, the path is set. It's time for a new beginning -- a new (AFC) face out there.''

Released by the Broncos over concerns about his ability to rebound fully from a torn medial collateral ligament and a compound fracture of his right leg suffered in November, McGahee has shaken off rust as he rounds back into shape. A two-time Pro Bowl player who was on the street for three months, he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards four times.

He sees in the surprising Browns (3-2) glimmers of the 2011 Broncos, who went on a magic ride, led by quarterback Tim Tebow. After rallying to make the playoffs, Denver beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round before losing to the New England Patriots.

"When I first got to Denver, they were the same way as this team -- a young team, the offensive line was together for a few years, and it clicked,'' McGahee said. "I didn't know how good this defense was until I got here.''

McGahee insists he isn't bitter that he might have lost his best chance to win a Super Bowl ring when he was dumped by the Broncos, given the way Peyton Manning is tearing up defenses with 20 touchdown passes and only one interception.

"Denver did what they had to do, and I don't have any grudge,'' McGahee said. "I texted Peyton when he threw all those touchdowns (seven against Baltimore) and said, 'Good job! Congratulations!' I've learned through the years never to hold a grudge. This is a new chapter in my life, helping another team.''

Many believed the Browns were waving a white flag on the season when they traded running back Trent Richardson for a 2014 first-round pick. That's when the Browns signed McGahee, off the couch, to fill the void.

"People thought it was over," McGahee said. "No, we're fighting for the guys inside this locker room. Once guys got a taste of three straight victories, the sky's the limit. People thought we weren't going to do too much this year because we're young. But guys are playing with heart, character and style.

"I'll be happy with us getting to the postseason -- just to get a taste in these guys' mouths.''

Unsung quarterback Brian Hoyer was supposed to play the part of Tebow in this storybook, but the hometown hero, who led the team to two straight wins, suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament last Thursday against the Buffalo Bills.

Brandon Weeden, who had lost the starting job, replaced Hoyer and led the Browns to a 37-24 victory. But is Weeden good enough to lead the Browns to the playoffs?

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A little more than a month ago, Rex Ryan (green hat) was atop the list of NFL head coaches on the hot seat. How times have changed. Ryan's Jets are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises, especially after Monday's 30-28 defeat of the Falcons in Atlanta. Ryan’s team (3-2) is just a game behind the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. However Jets owner Woody Johnson won't say if Ryan is saving his job. But USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero will. Ryan’s contract expires after the 2014 season, and apparently there’s been no talk of an extension. Here’s a look Ryan and other hot-seat candidates, with a heat index on a scale of 1 (low) to 10.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports

Tom Coughlin, Giants: Calls for his job abated after he won two Super Bowls. Coughlin hasn’t had a losing season since 2004. But getting outscored by 100 points while starting 0-5 – in New York, no less – is bound to raise some questions. Heat index: 1
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

Mike Smith, Falcons: Five straight winning seasons and four playoff berths almost surely mean Smith is safe. But there’s no question Atlanta’s 1-4 start is as disappointing as anyone’s at this stage, and mounting injuries mean things may not get better. Heat index: 1
Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin, Steelers: The franchise’s first 0-4 start since 1968 has exposed a roster that got old, particularly on defense. The Steelers are as patient as any team in the NFL, though, and it’s hard to imagine that changing here. Talent is the issue, not Tomlin. Heat index: 1
Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Allen, Raiders: Would GM Reggie McKenzie fire his hand-picked coach after only two seasons over a win-loss record compiled with the league’s lowest-paid roster? It seems unlikely, but this will be one to watch if the Raiders start to sink. Heat index: 2
Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Jim Schwartz, Lions: A 3-2 start has Detroit tied atop the NFC North standings. But discipline and consistency remain issues for the Lions, and Schwartz knows well he might have been out of work after last season’s 4-12 debacle if not for a contract that runs though 2015. Heat index: 2
Matt Kartozian, USA TODAY Sports

Rex Ryan, Jets: It’s easy to forget he led the Jets to consecutive AFC title games before the circus came to town. Ryan can coach. But would anything less than a postseason return be enough for new GM John Idzik to extend his contract? Heat index: 5
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports

Jason Garrett, Cowboys: Owner Jerry Jones continues to express support, but this is bound to be Garrett’s last chance. The Cowboys are 23-22 since he took over as interim coach in 2010, and he lost play-calling duties in the offseason. It’s postseason or bust. Heat index: 6
Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports

Greg Schiano, Buccaneers: It’s a mess behind the scenes in Tampa, and things aren’t much better on the field, where the Bucs have lost 10 of 11 games dating to last November. Softening his approach may not be enough to save Schiano now. Heat index: 10
Rob Foldy, USA TODAY Sports

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"Oh, yeah," McGahee said. "He completed some balls in that game that were big. He was the starter before. I don't know what happened before I came here. But from what I've seen – he's the guy.

"Sometimes when you're on that sideline and you watch another person succeed, it humbles you and makes you want to work harder.''

McGahee has rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown on 49 carries for the Browns, including 72 yards and a touchdown against the Bills. If offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants to take some of the pressure off Weeden, the Browns will need McGahee to flirt with the 1,000-yard mark again.

"I'm up for the challenge – if I touch the ball enough, I will get it,'' McGahee said. "Norv told me, 'We're going to run the ball now.' That's all I needed to hear."

McGahee said hall of Fame running back Jim Brown encouraged him when the two spoke a couple of weeks ago: "He's just really happy to see Cleveland doing good things again," McGahee said.

In his nine years with Buffalo, Baltimore and Denver, McGahee rushed for 8,067 yards and 63 touchdowns. It's been an amazing career for a back who tore his left anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

"I want to play four more years,'' McGahee said. "That would be 15 years for a guy who was supposed to never play football again."